Strength and power flourished through Rome before the empire’s downfall and this is due to the generals. The generals helped create a strong foundation for the Romans and then the emperors took control. Some generals helped by expanding beyond their leadership and into political power and creating new reforms. Some were involved in important battles that impacted Rome greatly. Several of these generals include Julius Caesar, Scipio, Marc Antony, Marius, and Octavian.

Julius Caesar was the most influential general and political leader in Rome. He started with a wealthy and powerful family and as one of the most cultured and literate Romans during his classic education. Following his education, he was elected in the chief religious office in Rome and afterwards, a chief Roman officer. Thus he gained more power before his real impact. Once Caesar joined with Pompey, who brought wealth and military, and Crassus, who had political connections, he made the first triumvirate. Then he traveled to Gaul and gain more political power and was victorious in battles. Afterwards he created many reforms, such as made work for the poor. His biggest impact was transitioning the Roman republic into an empire (Julius Caesar Biography).

Scipio was an im portant Roman general in the second Punic War. After winning Spanish tribes to his side, he seized the Carthaginian Capital, New Carthage. Scipio then captured Spain and he was elected consul (Stillman & Gordon, 25). Scipio also demanded the Carthaginians to give their warships, and pay another indemnity (Farah, 160). His major impact dealt with his courageous victory and the demanding capture of Spain.

Punic Wars with Scipio- http://www.britannica.com

Marius was an important general because he developed a method that was copied by Sulla and the great Julius Caesar. His method was where an army is used to gain political power. This method was effective because Marius’s army was made of urban poor and they were promised payment, uniforms, and equipment. This treatment made the soldiers favor their generals more instead of Rome (Farah, 162). With this army, Marius won famous battles such as Aquae Sextiae and Campi Raudii. His victorious battles freed Italy and Rome from barbaric invasions (Famous Romans).

Octavian was the mark of the end of a republic and a new empire. He was the general who officially transitioned the Romans. Once Caesar and his great officer, Marc Antony died; Octavian took their power and land and started to develop an empire. Octavian then officially changed his name to Augustus and Augustus was the first emperor of the Roman Empire (Farah, 163). He was given the name because all of his great achievements such as the avenging the death of Caesar with Marc Antony (Famous Romans).

Julius Caesar, Scipio, Octavian, Marius, and Marc Antony were important and have been remembered till today, especially Julius Caesar. All the generals had some impact on Rome and either did it for power or to help. Many reforms created were an important factor to Rome and leadership in battles helped Rome gain more power.